MADE IN GERMANY

Portraits and Interviews of four Music Students in Germany (2012).
Hardcover Book with 177 Pages & Videodocumentary (HD, 45Min).

About the Project

As a half-german, half-japanese living in Germany, a classical music lover and someone who has a lot of japanese friends, I was surprised to realize that the majority of music students in consevatories are from foreign countries. You often see east-asian students, east-european or latin american students in classes or rehersal rooms. Why is that so? Are young germans less interested in their musical heritage? Or is the appreciation for german music greater in other Countries? I couldn't make sense of it and went on a journey to find out what makes my country so attractive to foreign music students. To get a better understanding about this phenomenon, I knew I had to become a part of this world. Visit the students schools, join them for practise sessions and take part of their daily life activities and ask a lot of questions to get a better understanding of their experience in germany as a foreigner studying classic music. My goal was to capture portraits that showcase the love and appreciation these students have for Germany and german culture and also show the hardships these students have to endure to make music their job. And hopefully this can help us germans remember what a great history in music we have and that it is worth dedicating once life to it.
The Project was delivered as a Book with Interviews from four Students and a 45 Minute Documentary Film on DVD.
This was my Graduation Project and started my freelance career as a Photographer.

Jorge is a Baritone Singer from Mexico who studied in the Faculty of Music in Bremen (HFK). In his small but bright apartment in Hamburg he gave vocal training to private persons. His blue Cembalo was a gift from a Music Teacher.

Rikako is a classical Pianist who studied at the Hamburg Conservatory. In her free time she gives piano lessons to children.

Katarina came from Ukraine to study the Violin in Hamburg at the HFMT (Faculty of Music and Theatre). Her Apartment is very minimalistic. She spends most of her time practising at the school and has very little free time.

Masanori is a Conductor who is currently the secondary leader of the Hamburg Police Choir. He and I shared an apartment for a few years. He studied conducting at the Hamburg Conservatory. In his free time he enjoys a good wine and loves going to derbies.

A small selection of photographs from the Book: